UFC 131: Shane Carwin vs. Junior Dos Santos Updated Predictions

UFC 131 just got a little more interesting. Now with Brock Lesnar out due to illness, Shane Carwin has stepped up to face Junior dos Santos.

The bout was suppose to be the conclusion fight to The Ultimate Fighter 13 and give either Lesnar or JDS a shot at Cain Velasquez sometime later this year.

Now though, Carwin brings an intriguing matchup to this updated main card.

Who brings home the win at UFC 131?

Kenny Florian vs. Diego Nunes

Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - AUGUST 08: (L-R) Lightweight champion BJ Penn battles Kenny Florian during their lightweight championship title bout at UFC 101: Declaration at the Wachovia Center on August 8, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Ge

Featherweight Bout

Kenny Florian (14-5, 11-4 UFC)

10 wins by submission, three by knockout and one by decision

Three losses by decision, one by submission and one by knockout

Diego Nunes (16-1, 1-0 UFC)

Six wins by submission, five by knockout and five by decision

One loss by decision

Breakdown: With this fight you get two guys who know the ground very well. This will be Florian's first bout at the featherweight division and already you have people saying he could be one of the best fighters in the division. Well, if Nunes is able to pull the upset he has one quality win under his belt and immediately will jump high into the featherweight rankings. Two good fighters to make one good fight.

Prediction: Nunes by unanimous decision

Demian Maia vs. Mark Munoz

Middleweight Bout

Demian Maia (14-2, 8-2 UFC)

Eight wins by submission, four by decision and two by knockout

One loss by knockout and one by decision

Mark Munoz (10-2, 5-2 UFC)

Five wins by knockout, four by decision and one by submission

One loss by knockout and one by decision

Breakdown: Yet again you get two more fighters who know the ground game very well and Maia has shown to be more then dominant on the ground. I think Munoz has the ability to win in the striking game though and keep the fight standing. Not to take anything away from Maia though, I think he's very skilled. Call it crazy or whatever, its my crazy upset pick of the week.

Prediction: Munoz by unanimous decision

Mac Danzig vs. Donald Cerrone

Lightweight Bout

Mac Danzig (20-8-1, 4-4 UFC)

10 wins by submission, five by knockout and five by decision

Five losses by decision, two by submission and one by knockout 

Donald Cerrone (14-3, 1 NC, 1-0 UFC)

12 wins by submission and two by decision

Two losses by decision and one by submission 

Breakdown: Here it is, UFC 131 bringing you yet another unanimous decision victory for someone. Both fighters are yet again very skilled on the ground as you can see. Both Cerrone and Danzig combine for 22 wins by submission out of the 34 wins they both possess combined. 

Prediction: Cerrone by unanimous decision

Shane Carwin vs. Junior Dos Santos

Heavyweight Bout

Shane Carwin (12-1, 4-1 UFC)

Seven wins by knockout and five by submission

One loss by submission

Junior dos Santos (12-1, 6-0 UFC)

Eight wins by knockout, three by submission and one by decision

One loss by submission

Breakdown: This is going to be a good fight featuring two guys who know the standup game very well and could equally display some skill on the ground. Carwin has shown his weakness is his gas tank and as the fight progresses JDS should gain more and more of an advantage. Don't count Carwin out though, his fight with Gabriel Gonzaga proved he can get rocked and still win a fight.

JDS is a very skilled striker and is a lot better then Gonzaga, so Carwin will have to land one of those punches that you know could easily knock anybody out.

Prediction: Junior dos Santos by third-round TKO